Have you looked at a map online lately? Ever look up your property to see your parcel lines? If you have, you are probably more familiar with the term GIS than you think. Geographic Information System, or GIS, is the framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data, and then organizing and creating a visual representation for you to look at, aka your parcel map.

As part of a mussel survey and relocation project, biologists at Holland Engineering completed snorkel surveys of the Huron River in metro Detroit. Due to the new mussel protocol requirements and tight project deadlines, this project had to be completed quickly and efficiently.

Each year Holland Engineering awards a $2,500 scholarship to local college students. We offered this year's scholarship to Survey students from Ferris State University and Michigan Technological University.

In 2018, experts from the USFWS, MDEQ, MDNR, MNFI, and MDOT produced the Michigan Freshwater Mussel Survey Protocols and Relocation Procedures, which goes into effect immediately. The document details the required procedures for surveying, handling, and relocating mussels.

Holland Engineering recognizes the value of investing in the future of young industry professionals through our internship programs and our annual scholarship. This year's Student Scholarship Award for 2018 will select one survey student from either Ferris State University or Michigan Technological University to be awarded $2,500 to be used towards tuition or the purchase of student books.

This year, Holland Engineering participated in Adopt-A-Family for the holiday season. This program matches families in need with sponsors across the community. Both our Holland and Southfield offices participated and were able to help provide a great Christmas for two families!

Holland Engineering worked with Kids' Food Basket on November 29th and sponsored a whole day of Sack Suppers for children in Holland, Michigan. In addition to the sponsorship, we are proud to have helped pack about 597 meals for children in need.

Holland Engineering’s Civil Infrastructure division has remained busy this summer with plenty of land development projects; including tiny houses, high-rise residential apartments, and commercial expansion projects.

Holland Engineering Biologist, Larissa Herrera, volunteered for the Cordova Mussel Event in Cordova, Illinois this summer. The event is sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers and has been taking place for over 15 years.

Our GIS and Environmental Group have found a way to make data collecting more efficient. Using the Collector for ArcGIS App, Holland Engineering has expedited the process of collecting and uploading data from the field.

This year, Holland Engineering offered it's annual $2,500 scholarship to Engineering students from Calvin College and Western Michigan University. We received many excellent applications, and it was tough to choose just one recipient.

Nick J. Gressick, MS has a comprehensive background in wetlands and aquatic ecology. He has worked extensively with the Michigan Nature Association and was a previous employee of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Our world is ever changing. Keeping track of and communicating these changes can be a nearly impossible task unless you have the right people, process, and technology. The good news is Holland Engineering has all three, and we’re continuing to provide value to our clients by adding a powerful mapping tool to our arsenal, ArcGIS Server.